TasFarmers, Media Release, 4 June 2026
TasFarmers has welcomed the State Government’s announcement of a new fertiliser supply agreement, saying it provides much-needed certainty for farmers preparing for the coming season.
The agreement, facilitated through Indonesia and fertiliser manufacturer Incitec Pivot, comes after months of concern about global fertiliser availability driven by conflict in the Middle East and disruption to international supply chains.
TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman said certainty around fertiliser availability was critical for farm businesses making planting and production decisions in the months ahead.
“There’s been a great deal of uncertainty around urea supply at a time when farmers are making important decisions about planting crops and managing pasture growth,” Mr Calman said.
“This agreement gives producers confidence that supply won’t be an issue and allows them to plan their operations knowing inputs will be available when they need it.
“Nitrogen fertiliser plays a key role across Tasmania’s dairy, livestock and cropping sectors. Any disruption to supply can have significant impacts on productivity, farm profitability and food production.
“This announcement gives producers the ability to undertake the necessary gross margin calculations and make informed decisions about their farm businesses and expected returns,” Mr Calman said.
While welcoming the supply agreement, TasFarmers said producers still needed greater clarity around fertiliser pricing as supply certainty was only part of the equation.
“What we need now is greater certainty around price because that will ultimately influence the decisions farmers make. Having product available is critical, but farmers also need confidence around what it will cost so they can properly budget and plan,” Mr Calman said.
TasFarmers said the agreement would help address demand for nitrogen fertiliser but warned that other essential farm inputs also required attention.
“This announcement goes a long way towards meeting demand for nitrogen fertiliser, which is welcome news for producers across the state,” Mr Calman said.
“But nitrogen is only one of the key fertiliser inputs farmers rely on.
“We can’t lose focus on the need to create greater certainty around other essential nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium and sulphur.”
TasFarmers said the announcement demonstrated the importance of proactive action to strengthen agricultural supply chains and improve resilience against global disruptions.
TasFarmers will continue working with government and industry to ensure Tasmanian farmers have reliable access to the inputs they need to maintain production, support regional communities and contribute to the state’s economy.
